Abstract
ABSTRACT: Problems of lack of rural development, low-cost housing and the urban poor are recognised features of endemic complex limitations of modern construction technologies, government policies and market forces to achieve balances of sustainable societal development. There is however a continuous struggle through science and technologies to improve the human conditions of living. Along these efforts, the cross-cutting issues arising from industrial exploitation of cement and concrete are espoused delving into their sources, with suggestions for a multidisciplinary, multi-faceted network approach as an effective channel for innovative progress.
Advanced technologies, while valuable, are not in themselves the ultimate solution to rural development but selective intermediate technologies could significantly be effective for development. It is argued that, the concept of sustainable development in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), and other developing economies, require a unique definition and focussed approach which may need daring policy decisions. China’s experience with ‘walking on two legs’ is highlighted for lessons of interest to achieving acceleration of rural development. A broad spectrum of cross-cutting issues discusses - the environment, health, energy, employment creation, and domestic innovation in cement concrete technologies as mainstream technical channels for socio-economic contribution to development at large.